642 Black Finish ?

[everReady Rob]

Does anyone know if the 642 38 Spl +P is made with a black finish. I have seen similar guns in black but don't know that they were 642's.

 

[dentkimterry]

442 is the same gun in black.

 

[Dragon88]

Yup, you want a 442. You can buy a new, no lock gun for about $350-380 at your local gun store.

 

[wrangler5]

I got a 442 because I've had difficulty seeing the sights on stainless guns. But when I carried the black one throughout the summer in an inside the waistband holster I learned that moisture accumulates between the crane and frame and will rust the (apparently carbon steel) crane if I don't wipe it down every night.

If I had it to do over, I'd get a 642 and paint the sights black

 

[photoman]

I'm not aware of any 642's having ever been made by the factory with a black finish. You can get your 642 refinished by Robar or others in a dark color.

 

[jp0319]

I'm not aware of any 642's having ever been made by the factory with a black finish. You can get your 642 refinished by Robar or others in a dark color.

642 Silver = 442 Black. Same gun different finish.

 

[EarlFH]

It could also be a model 460 from the performence center. There were a few of them made back in the 80's, with a black finish. They were 642's with black finish, and a ported BBL.

EarlFH

 

[cjtraining]

M442 & M642

 

[everReady Rob]

bee - ute - tee - full

 

[John Law]

Does anybody know what the black finish is? It doesnt look like Melonite.

 

[shoresroad]

642 Silver = 442 Black. Same gun different finish.

Both have an aluminum frame, but the 442 has a carbon steel cylinder, barrel, and crane while the 642 has a stainless steel cylinder, barrel, and crane.

 

[photoman]

Both have an aluminum frame, but the 442 has a carbon steel cylinder, barrel, and crane while the 642 has a stainless steel cylinder, barrel, and crane.

Some of the recent 442's are equipped with a stainless barrel and cylinder.

 

[shoresroad]

Some of the recent 442's are equipped with a stainless barrel and cylinder.

That's great news Photoman. Is there a way to identify them - do they have a unique S&W SKU? I would buy a 442 stainless with no internal lock. I prefer the matte black finish of the 442 over the stainless finish of the 642, but have seen for myself the problems with the carbon steel 442's here in the southeast U.S. as mentioned in the earlier post in this thread. Of course I'm not knocking the 442 over any other carbon steel gun. Carbon steel is just harder to keep from rusting when carried close and personal in high humidity.

Thanks.

 

[imjin138]

Earlier I bought a no lock 642 and I then ordered a no lock 442 but they (the store) ordered another 642 so now I have 2 that take the moon clips. But I don't feel bad.

 

[photoman]

shoresroad: I'm not sure if there is a unique SKU for them. Maybe someone else will answer with more information. I seem to recall the shape of the front sight being different between the carbon steel and stainless steel barrels.